Senator Joel Villanueva filed a bill on Monday creating a new visa category to attract digital nomads, or people who work remotely while travelling to different locations, with the aim of boosting tourism.
Villanueva filed Senate Bill No. 2991, which would provide a new visa category for digital nomads to work remotely from the Philippines for one year, with the option to renew the visa for another year.
He added that the proposed visa would enable visitors to stay in the Philippines for an extended period while they work for a business based abroad.
According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Nomad List, the Philippines ranked 7th among the world’s fastest-growing remote work hubs in 2023.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) also reported that there was 9.15% increase in foreign visitors in 2024 from 2023, leading to a total of 5.95 million tourists. This translated to a record-breaking PHP760.5 billion in tourism revenues.
To qualify for the visa, the proposed visa outlines that applicants need to meet the following conditions:
Provide proof of sufficient income earned internationally
Possess valid health insurance covering the duration of the visa period
Not hold a criminal record in their home country
The senator is hopeful that the proposed visa will lead to many digital nomads creating their bases in the Philippines, transforming it into a hub for remote workers.
Currently, more than 50 countries offer similar visas specifically for digital nomads.
“Digital nomads spend money and therefore, would benefit the economy. The Philippines is a promising destination for those who embrace nomadic lifestyle and leverage technology to work remotely from outside their home country,” Villanueva said.
He added, “While they are not allowed to take local jobs, they can share their knowledge and best practices to the local communities.”